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Rat Traps and Trapping Rats

Rat Trapping Tips

  1. The top rule for using any rat trap is to use plenty of traps.You may need more traps than you think is warranted when trapping rats. Usually, the population is larger than expected.
  2. Make sure that you are trapping rats and not mice. A typical mouse trap is not big enough to trap rats.
  3. Place rat traps in high-activity areas of the rat colony. These areas may include darkened corners, along walls, behind appliances and objects, and all areas where droppings are evident. Since rats need to touch surfaces as they move, place them accordingly.
  4. Place rat traps spaced from 15-20 feet apart. Remember to place them touching a wall, since rats like to run along walls in order to avoid detection.
  5. Since rats prefer enclosed, safe locations, use Protecta Bait Stations with the T Rex Snap traps. This will shelter the rat; encouraging it to enter and protect non targeted animals and children from harm of the snap trap. The Victor Snap Traps are fine traps, but its height will not fit into bait stations. If this is the case, you can get a cardboard box, cut holes in it and place it over the Victor Snap Trap. This method is not tamper resistant, however.
  6. Position rat traps to maximize the chances of rats to cross over the traps during their natural travels along their runways. Set snap traps extended at a right angle from a wall with the trigger end almost touching the wall. If rat traps are set parallel to the wall, set them in pairs with triggers situated to intercept the rats from either direction.
  7. To trap Roof Rats, set traps on tree limbs, under vegetation on a backyard fence or trellis, or on other aboveground locations roof rats are known to frequent. Traps can be fastened with wire to overhead pipes, rafters and beams.
  8. Rats are often shy of new objects and the placement of unset traps in a new location for a week or two will increase the opportunities of catching.
  9. Set out unset rat traps can be buried in grain, sawdust, or similar materials within a empty cardboard box or pie pan. Place the rat bait in small pieces near it and above it with the hidden trap below. Once the rats start taking the bait, set the traps.
  10. This will acclimate the rats to the traps, once acclimated, set enough traps to kill the a large percentage of the population before the rodents become "trap shy" . This is called mass trapping, trapping them at a higher rate than they can repopulate and become shy of the trap.
  11. There may be a need to have as many as 2-3 dozen rat traps set in place in a commercial establishment, in an infested trash room, for example.
  12. By having these rat traps baited with Provoke Rat Attractant or peanut butter unset, a large population would be use to feeding on around the traps. When the rat traps are then simultaneously set after a while of this "feeding", a large kill can be obtained.

Types Of Rat Traps

Rat Snap Traps

t rex trap

Improvements have been made over the years from the typical wooden snap trap. The T Rex Trap is easier to set and more versatile.

Advantages of Snap Traps

These traps are relatively inexpensive and will instantly kill a rat.

Disadvantages of Snap Traps

The spring on the  rat snap trap is very strong, (it could break a finger); keep it out of reach of your pets and small children. An alternate solution would be using the Trapper T Snap Traps with a protective bait station. The T Rex traps are designed to fit perfectly in the Protecta Bait Stations or Ambush Bait Station.

t rex trap The   Trapper T Rex Trap for rats will fit in the protecta bait stations to help keep non targeted animals and children away from the traps.

 

Glue Traps

glue boards

Advantages of Glue Traps

  1. Rat Glue Traps are safer to use than snap traps unless the snap traps are placed in protective bait stations.
  2. Rats are less likely to become "trap shy". The glue boards have a lower profile so the rat is less suspicious of the new object.
  3. Less costly than snap traps.
  4. Glue Traps can be used inside in a variety of places.

Disadvantages of Glue Traps

  1. One disadvantage of glue traps is that they need to be kept in a dry and dust free area.
  2. In may be inhumane to the rat, the rat may not die immediately

How To Set Rat Glue Boards

After inspecting the rat infested areas, place the rat glue boards in those areas. Place the glue traps directly in their runways. Rats usually travel along baseboards and walls, since they use the walls for guidance. Place glue traps where there has been rodent activity. We carry Trapper Rat Glue Traps, Catchmaster Cold Temperature Rodent Traps, Trapper Plastic Tunnel, Maxcatch Giant Glue Boards and Trapper Glue to make your own boards. If glue gets on your pet's paw, coat it wiht vegetable oil. This oil will dissolve the glue.

 

Where To Store Glue Boards

Avoid storing glue traps in vehicles during warm weather without placing them in a cooler.

Live Animal Traps

squirrel trap

 

Live traps are the most humane way of trapping rodents. Simply bait it with peanut butter or Provoke Rat Bait and carefully release it outside. Use gloves when handling the traps.

 

We carry the Safeguard Squirrel-Rat Live Trap #50450-1 and the Havahart #1025. Both these live traps will catch rats or squirrels.

  • Do not touch pets, prior to handling the traps.
  • Avoid handling dead rodents with bare hands to prevent contact with ectoparasites or diseased animals.

Advantages of Using Rat Traps

  1. Poison rodent baits may be dangerous to children and pets. Trapping can be safer.
  2. For smaller rat infestations, rat traps provide quick results.
  3. Easier to locate the dead rat for easy disposal in order to avoid odors.

Disadvantages of Using Rat Traps

  1. If the rat infestation is large and severe, trapping can be very time consuming and laborious.
  2. Trapping rat programs are not as cost effective as rodent bait programs, particularly for controlling large rat populations.
  3. Some rat traps such as the snap traps can injure people, pets, children or wildlife if they accidentally encounter the trap. It is advised to use a Trapper T Rex Snap Trap inside a secured bait station, like Protecta Bait Stations or Ambush Bait Station as an alternate trapping solution.
  4. Some rat traps such as glue boards are not considered humane.

When To Use Rat Traps

  • Use rat traps when poison baits may pose a potential hazard to children, pets or wildlife.
  • Use rat traps where rodent baits are not allowed due to the possibility of food contamination.
  • Use rat traps when rodents exhibit bait shyness.
  • Use rat traps when dead rodents may create odors.

After Trapping The Rat

  1. Wear gloves when disposing the rat. On a daily basis, check the traps and replace the traps if needed.
  2. If you are concerned with any health threats from the dead rodent, use a household disinfectant.
  3.  See tips on cleaning rodent traps and disposal of rodents